The Rugby Championship returned with a bang last weekend.
World champions South Africa stated their intent from the very start, dishing out a 33-7 thrashing to end Australia's unbeaten run under Joe Schmidt.
Meanwhile, New Zealand's crown could be under threat after they suffered an opening day slip-up as Argentina pounced, upsetting the All Blacks with a 38-30 victory.
Australia and New Zealand have a chance to right those wrongs on matchday two, while South Africa and Argentina will be looking to pull clear at the top of the table.
Here, we run through the best Opta stats ahead of this weekend's action, picking out the players to watch in each contest.
NEW ZEALAND V ARGENTINA
New Zealand's defence of their Rugby Championship title did not get off to the desired start as they let their half-time lead slip to lose to Argentina in Wellington last weekend, ending head coach Scott Robertson's perfect start.
However, they will be stepping out in Auckland this time around, a happy hunting ground for them as they are undefeated across their last 51 Test matches there (49 wins, two draws), scoring an average of 36.7 points per game across that span. Their last defeat in the city was a 20-23 loss against France in July 1994.
New Zealand also won their only previous meeting with Argentina at Eden Park, cruising to a 33-10 victory in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
They bring plenty of physicality too, having made 11 offloads in the first round, the most of any team; the All Blacks have logged more than 10 offloads in their last two matches in the competition after doing so only once across their previous nine games in the tournament beforehand.
Argentina, meanwhile, won their Rugby Championship opener for the first time, having lost it in their previous 11 appearances.
And, after coming from behind to win that game, they look to have a new lease of life under Felipe Contepomi as they aim to get back-to-back wins over New Zealand for the first time.
Indeed, Los Pumas have won each of their last two Test matches against tier one opposition (38-30 v New Zealand and 33-25 v France) - the last time they recorded a longer winning run in such fixtures was a three-match span at the 2007 Rugby World Cup (v France, Ireland and Scotland).
Argentina made 183 tackles in round one of the Rugby Championship, the most of any team; it is the third time they have logged 180+ in a match in the tournament since the beginning of 2021 – Australia (twice) are the only other team to have done so more than once in that time.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New Zealand – Ethan Blackadder
Despite being on the wrong end of the scoreline, Blackadder managed to catch the eye as he completed 20 tackles in round one of the Rugby Championship, the most of any player.
In fact, it was the joint-most he has made in a Test match for the All Blacks (also 20 v Ireland in November 2021).
Argentina – Matteo Carreras
While Agustin Creevy stole the headlines during Argentina's win last weekend, Matteo Carreras' involvement was equally important.
He has scored three tries in his last two Test matches, including one try against New Zealand last time out, as many as he scored in his eight Tests prior to that run combined (three).
AUSTRALIA V SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa started as they mean to go on with their statement win over Australia last weekend, and they have now won their last three Test matches against the Wallabies by an average margin of 24.3 points.
The last time the Springboks recorded a longer winning run against the Wallabies was a seven-match span from August 1969 to August 1971.
Indeed, South Africa have won each of their last two Test matches against their opponents in Australia, conceding no more than eight points on the day in either of those two wins.
South Africa's form anywhere away from home is impressive enough. They have won each of their last six Test matches outside their country, with three of those six victories coming by a single-point margin on the day. The last time the Springboks recorded a longer winning run outside the country was a nine-match span from August to November in 2007.
Rassie Erasmus' side completely dominated as they gained 547 metres on matchday one of the Rugby Championship, 149 metres more than the team with the second most (Argentina – 398); only once across their last 22 matches in the competition prior have the Springboks gained more in a game (698 v Australia in July 2023).
Schmidt's hopes of a strong start to the tournament quickly evaporated in Brisbane, but a move to Perth could be a good boost for their confidence, with Australia only losing one of their last nine Test matches in the city (winning seven, drawing one).
Australia won 20 line-outs (inc. two steals) in round one of the Rugby Championship, the most of any team; only once across their last 40 Test matches prior to that game had the Wallabies logged as many (20, inc. four steals v Fiji in September 2023). If they can make those count, they could give themselves a chance.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Australia – Harry Wilson
While Australia's attacking play left much to be desired, Harry Wilson provided them with a driving force as he crossed the gainline on 10 carries on matchday one, the second most of any player (Ardie Savea, 12).
He also won seven line-outs, the most of any player in the opening round of the tournament.
South Africa – Kurt-Lee Arendse
Kurt-Lee Arendse continued his impressive run of form with two tries against Australia last time out, meaning he has now scored four tries in his last four Test matches.
He has scored five tries in his two career appearances against the Wallabies, scoring a hat-trick against them last year in addition to last week's brace.
Rookie Weston Wilson became the ninth player in franchise history to hit for the cycle and Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos hit back-to-back homers in the first inning to power the Philadelphia Phillies to a 13-3 drubbing of the Washington Nationals on Thursday night.
Wilson tripled and singled in the fourth, homered in the seventh and then doubled to right in the eighth, with Alex Call failing on a diving attempt.
Wilson had the 10th cycle in Phillies history - Chuck Klein did it twice - and he was the first home player to accomplish the feat at Citizens Bank Park since David Bell in 2004.
Wilson had just 16 at-bats and 22 plate appearances last season, officially making him the first rookie in Phillies history to hit for the cycle.
Philadelphia jumped on Mitchell Parker for four first-inning runs, with Bohm hitting a three-run shot and Castellanos following with 16th of the season.
Trea Turner had three hits and two RBIs and Johan Rojas drove in three runs for the Phillies, who collected 17 hits in their second straight win following a four-game skid.
Zack Wheeler allowed two runs and three hits over six innings for his 12th win, one off the National League lead.
Keibert Ruiz hit a pair of homers as Washington dropped to 1-6 this season against Philadelphia.
Baez lifts Tigers to sweep
Javier Baez hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Detroit Tigers allowed one hit and rallied for a 2-1 victory over the Seattle Mariners to complete a three-game sweep.
Detroit trailed 1-0 in the eighth after Seattle got seven two-hit innings from Bryce Miller, but Yimi Garcia walked Parker Meadows, who stole second. After Zack McKinstry popped out and Akil Baddoo grounded out, Andres Munoz relieved and hung a 2-1 slider that Baez lined over the fence in left field.
Munoz hadn’t allowed a hit in a franchise-record 12 consecutive outings.
The Mariners scored four runs in the three-game series and dropped three games behind AL West-leading Houston.
Kenta Maeda pitched one-hit ball over 5 1/3 innings, Shelby Miller earned the win with 1 1/3 innings before Jason Foley worked the ninth for his 16th save to preserve Detroit’s fourth straight win.
Brewers rally past Dodgers for split
Jackson Chourio and Wiliam Contreras homered in the first inning and scored again in an eighth-inning comeback as the Milwaukee Brewers rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers in a matchup of division leaders.
Milwaukee trailed 4-3 in the eighth before loading the bases on Chourio’s double, a walk to Garrett Mitchell and William Contreras’ infield single.
Willie Adames singled home Chourio to tie it and Tyler Black’s grounder sent Mitchell home. Contreras scored an insurance run from third when Rhys Hoskins grounded out with a batted ball that hit pitcher Daniel Hudson’s leg.
Devin Williams earned his third save in as many opportunities and ended the game by striking out Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani. That save came one day after Williams preserved a 5-4 victory by retiring Ohtani, Betts and Freddie Freeman in order.
After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Dodgers rallied to take a 4-3 lead when Kike Hernández greeted Elvis Peguero with a tiebreaking two-out single in the sixth inning.
Jamaica is setting its sights on reclaiming the top spot in Caribbean table tennis over the next decade, with the recent launch of a summer camp aimed at nurturing the next generation of talent. The Jamaica Table Tennis Association (JTTA), in collaboration with Skills Unlimited Table Tennis Academy (SUTTA) and Taylor and Chancellor Halls at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, hosted the inaugural SUTTA/Taylor Hall/Chancellor Hall Table Tennis Summer Camp from July 15 to August 14 at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona. This camp marks the first step in what is intended to be a series of initiatives aimed at re-establishing Jamaica’s dominance in the sport regionally.
The camp, which targeted both junior and senior athletes, was designed to enhance the skills of Jamaica's table tennis players, providing them with the training necessary to compete at the highest levels regionally. Dale Parham, Director of the Program, president of SUTTA, and head coach, expressed his hope that the camp would become an annual event, setting the foundation for sustained development in the sport.
Kingston College's table tennis coach, Colin McNeish, who also played a key role in the program, emphasized the importance of year-round preparation. He believes that with consistent training and dedication, Jamaican players have a strong chance of reclaiming the top spot in Caribbean table tennis within the next decade.
The camp featured several of Jamaica’s top under-19 national players, including Jayden Ebanks, Tsenaye Lewis, Gianna Lewis as well as Navaeh Scott and Kira Scott. Also in attendance were Karecia Peterkin, Gmarco Smith, Kayon Denton, Azizi Johnson, and Ajani Spencer. Under-11 champions Malone and Shacoil Bird, also participated, gaining valuable experience and exposure.
JTTA President Ingrid Graham praised SUTTA for launching the summer program, highlighting the significant improvement in both national players and novice participants. She noted that many young players had been lacking sufficient play time, making the camp an excellent initiative to address this gap. Graham also expressed gratitude to Taylor Hall and Chancellor Hall for providing the venue, which allowed the camp to avoid rental costs.
Coach Dale Parham, Carl Chang of Western Sports and JTTA President Ingrid Graham
Athol Hamilton, Taylor Hall's Student Services and Development Manager, echoed the importance of the camp, stating that supporting it was an easy decision given Taylor Hall’s strong investment in sports. Hamilton also indicated that efforts are being made to make the facilities available throughout the academic year to ensure ongoing training.
National players Gianna and Tsenaye Lewis shared their enthusiasm for the camp, underscoring the importance of consistent practice in honing their skills. Both sisters expressed a desire for the camp to become a permanent fixture on the calendar, citing its significant benefits for their development as players.
Carl Chang of Western Sports, who attended the camp's closing tournament, underscored the camp’s role in reviving table tennis in Jamaica. Although Western Sports is not the title sponsor, they have provided support for junior-level players, further contributing to the growth of the sport.
The summer camp also served as a crucial preparatory phase for the players ahead of the Jamaica Table Tennis Association National Senior & Junior Championships, scheduled to take place from September 6-8 at the National Indoor Sports Complex.
The success of the camp was made possible through the support of Taylor Hall, Chancellor Hall, JTTA, SUTTA, the Sports Development Foundation Jamaica, Western Sports, Optical Solutions International Limited, and Graham International Consulting and Research INC. These partnerships reflect a collective commitment to ensuring that Jamaica once again becomes a dominant force in Caribbean table tennis.
Yulia Putintseva produced an impressive upset, knocking defending champion Coco Gauff out of the Cincinnati Open in the second round.
The 29-year-old rallied over three sets to hold off Gauff's comeback with a 6-4 2-6 6-4 win in just under two hours.
Putintseva immediately set the tone by breaking the American's serve twice in the opening three games, and though Gauff pulled back to level things at 4-4, the Kazakh got another vital break to take the first set.
The world number two came out on a mission in the second though, piecing together a three-game winning streak as she managed to force a decider.
And it looked like Gauff had found her stride when she took a 4-2 lead, but Putintseva won the last four games in a row to turn the tide and set up a meeting with Paula Badosa in the next round.
Data Debrief: Gauff falls short again
After a disappointing Olympic debut, Gauff made an early exit from the Canadian Open, and she has been relegated to another early exit here.
She was looking to become just the second player to win consecutive titles here, but instead, she struggled once again, making nine double faults against a flawless opponent.
Meanwhile, Putintseva is playing her first tournament since Wimbledon, where she knocked out Iga Swiatek en route to the fourth round. Before this year, she had never progressed past the first round in Cincinnati.
Now, she is only the fourth player in the past four decades ranked outside the WTA's top 20 to claim wins over the top two on multiple surfaces in a season.
Alexander Zverev claimed his 50th tour-level win of the season with a straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov in the Cincinnati Open on Thursday.
The German took just 76 minutes to ease into the next round, earning a 6-3 6-2 win while coping with a second-set rain delay.
Zverev fought back from break point in the third game to set him up for a vital break in the sixth as he took the first set.
And he raced into a 3-0 lead in the second against a spirited Khachanov, who just could not find any answers to his aggressive approach as the world number four hit 16 winners compared to the Russian's nine.
He will now play either Max Purcell or Pablo Carrena-Busta for a place in the quarter-final.
Data Debrief: Fifty up for Zverev
It is an impressive landmark for Zverev to hit, but he is also the first to register 50 wins at ATP events in 2024.
It is the fifth time the 27-year-old has won 50+ matches in a single season, and he is just the second German to do so during the Open Era, after Boris Becker.
Alex de Minaur has confirmed he will particpate in the US Open later this month despite withdrawing from the men's singles at the Paris Olympics.
De Minaur sustained a hip injury against Arthur Fils at Wimbledon that forced him to withdraw from his quarter-final match against Novak Djokovic.
The Australian did still compete in the men's doubles at the Games alongside Alexei Popyrin, but lost in the first round to beaten finalists Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
De Minaur's best finish at Flushing Meadows came in 2020 when he reached the quarter-finals, losing to eventual champion Dominic Thiem in three sets.
The world number 10 has also reached the same stage in his two grand slam appearances this year at the Australian Open and French Open.
"Been working hard trying to recover from my injury," De Minaur wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.
"It’s been very tough missing tournaments and excited to say I’ll be playing US open. Thanks to all the support I’ve gotten, it’s definitely helped me through these tough times."
Rory McIlroy is eyeing a strong finish to the PGA Tour season as he goes in search of a record fourth triumph at the FedEx Cup this week.
McIlroy, who won the title in 2019 and 2022, has won twice on the PGA Tour this season, adding to his victory on the DP World Tour at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
The 35-year-old is still without a major success, falling just short in June's U.S. Open to Bryson DeChambeau following a late collapse at Pinehurst.
McIlroy arrives at the FedEx Cup Playoffs third in the rankings behind two-time major winner this year Xander Schauffele and recent Olympic champion Scottie Scheffler.
But the Northern Irishman is confident he can end the season on a high ahead of an intense three-week stretch.
"I certainly don't want to sit up here and belittle my achievements this year and what I've done, but at the same time, I expect a certain standard from myself," McIlroy said.
"I've won a couple of times, but I've had an opportunity to win a few more times than that and haven't been able to get over the line.
"I would have liked to have added a couple more to that win column. But there's still three tournaments left in this PGA Tour season.
"Even the three years that I've won the FedExCup, I came into the Playoffs, I think in 36th and was able to win, but then '19 and '22 I was a further up and closer to the lead."
"I think when the bulk of the season has come and gone, and you've got this opportunity of three weeks to really flip the script a little bit or change the narrative and what that season means.
"I think that's a motivating factor, and part of the reason that I've probably played well in the Playoffs for the last three years."
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka and fellow former winners Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Thiem and Bianca Andreescu were given wildcards for the upcoming US Open.
Osaka, who lost in the final round of qualifying for the Cincinnati Open, won the first of her four grand slam titles at Flushing Meadows in 2018, winning again two years later.
The former world number one returned to the tour this season after giving birth last year, but has struggled to find the form that led her to climb to the top of the rankings.
The Japanese is now ranked 90th in the WTA rankings, with her best finishes coming in Doha and 's-Hertogenbosch where she reached the quarter-finals in both.
She will be joined in the women's singles by Canada's Andreescu, who was crowned the US Open champion after her win over Serena Williams in 2019.
The 24-year-old returned to action this year after missing nine months due to a back injury and reached the French Open third round in her first event back.
Meanwhile, Thiem headlines the wildcards in the men's singles in what will be the final grand slam of his career after confirming he will retire at the end of the season.
The Austrian won the US Open in 2020 in an epic five-match thriller against Alexander Zverev, but has failed to his best form after sustaining a wrist injury three years ago.
Also returning thanks to a wildcard is Wawrinka, eight years on from when he claimed the title in New York against Novak Djokovic at Flushing Meadows.
The 39-year-old's triumph in the United States was the latest of his three career grand slams, having previously prevailed at the Australian Open and French Open.
Baltimore Ravens have confirmed that tight end Mark Andrews avoided injury after being involved in a car accident on Wednesday.
Andrews, who is heading into his seventh season in the NFL, was driving to the Ravens' team facility for training camp when the incident occurred.
The 28-year-old was evaluated by the team's medical staff and did not “sustain any apparent injuries,” the team added.
After practice on Wednesday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh provided an update on Andrews while reiterating the importance of wearing seatbelts.
“Mark (Andrews) wore seatbelts,” Harbaugh said. “That was an accident that happened and it was pretty significant, I believe.
"He came out of it with nothing. Nothing at all, not a scrape.”
“I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and well wishes,” Andrews said in a statement.
“This is a great reminder about the importance of wearing seatbelts and remaining alert while driving a car.”
Andrews was already scheduled for a rest day on Wednesday and is expected back at practice in the coming days, according to the Ravens.
The three-time Pro Bowler finished last season with 544 yards and six touchdowns in the 10 games he featured in.
The Ravens are scheduled to host the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday in the team’s second pre-season game.
Daniil Medvedev suffered consecutive opening game losses as he was dumped out of the Cincinnati Open by Jiri Lehecka in straight sets.
Medvedev, who was beaten by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Montreal last week, endured another early exit, losing 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 in just under two hours against the Czech.
“It’s amazing to be back, to be honest. To get a win against such a talented player as Daniil surely is, is just such a bonus for me," Lehecka said on being back in his first tournament in three months after injury.
Lehecka squandered four game points in the opener, with Medvedev also missing an opportunity for an early break, but the Czech was able to hold his opening serve.
The pair traded blows for the remainder, but the world number five struggled in the tiebreak, losing three games in a row to hand Lehecka the advantage.
And the decisive moment came in the seventh game of the second, as Lehecka broke Medvedev's serve, edging closer to a memorable triumph.
The Czech missed four match points in the final two games, but was not to be denied a fifth time, ending the encounter with a fierce serve to set up a meeting with Frances Tiafoe in the next round.
Data Debrief: Lehecka continues winning return in Cincinnati
Since 1990, Lehecka is now the fourth player ranked outside the ATP's top 30 to claim top five wins at three ATP Masters 1000 events in a season after Gaston Gaudio (2001), Hicham Arazi (2001) and Tommy Paul (2022).
Excluding the ATP Tour Finals, Medvedev has been defeated in three consecutive ATP matches on hard court for the first time since October in 2017.
Iga Swiatek survived in her return to hard courts at the Cincinnati Open, outlasting Varvara Gracheva in three sets to advance to the third round.
Swiatek, who was playing in her first match since her bronze medal at the Olympics, was taken to a third-set decider, but emerged as a 6-0 6-7 (8-10) 6-2 victor in Ohio.
“For sure, the transition is probably the hardest, from the slowest surface to the fastest surface,” Swiatek said.
“But that’s why I’m still happy with my performance, and looking forward to another match to kind of still do the grinding and implement what I was working on, but not really focusing on the results.”
The world number one looked set for a comfortable passage to the next round of the competition after winning the first set 6-0, serving three of her seven aces in the opener.
But her French opponent responded, matching Swiatek stride for stride in the second before prevailing in a tie-break to take the encounter the distance.
However, Swiatek would once again show her dominance, winning the final four games in a row to set up an encounter with Marta Kostyuk, who defeated Lulu Sun in straight sets.
Data Debrief: Swiatek surpasses yearly triumphs
Despite a third set, Swiatek has claimed 11.2% (27/242) of total sets played by a score of 6-0 in completed WTA 1000 matches - the highest rate of any player (min. 20 sets) since the format's introduction in 2009.
The Pole now has 28 WTA-1000 match wins in 2024, surpassing her own career-high of 27 (2023). Only Serena Williams (36, 2013) has now recorded more WTA-1000 wins in a season, since the format’s introduction in 2009.
Aaron Judge became the fastest in major league history to hit 300 home runs, reaching the milestone with a three-run shot in the eighth inning in the New York Yankees’ 10-2 rout of the lowly Chicago White Sox on Wednesday night.
Judge hit his major league-leading 43rd home run on a 3-0 up-and-in sinker from Chad Kuhl to extend the lead to 9-2.
Chicago had intentionally walked Juan Soto to bring up Judge, who had not homered on a 3-0 pitch since 2021.
Judge hit that mark in his 955th game and 3,431st at-bat. Ralph Kiner reached 300 homers in his 1,087th game and Babe Ruth did it in his 3,831st at-bat.
Soto also went deep after hitting three home runs in a 4-1 win over the White Sox on Tuesday. He has 34 this season and six in his past four games.
Austin Wells had three hits, including a home run, and three RBIs for the Yankees, who moved back atop the AL East with a one-half game lead over Baltimore.
The White Sox lost for the 26th time in 28 games and have dropped 12 consecutive series. They are on pace to finish 39-123, which would be the most losses since the 1889 Cleveland Spiders went 20-134.
Streaking Astros sweep Rays
Maurico Dubon delivered a tiebreaking single in the 10th inning and Josh Hader pitched two hitless innings as the Houston Astros won their season-high eighth straight game, 2-1 over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Automatic runner Pedro Leon moved to third on Jeremy Pena’s deep fly to center and after Zach Dezenso struck out and Jake Meyers walked, Dubon’s single to center gave the Astros the lead.
Houston was hitless until Peña homered for the second straight game, leading off the fifth against Zack Littell with his 12th of the season.
Ronel Blanco limited the Rays to two hits over six scoreless innings and Hader struck out three for the win.
The Astros have outscored opponents 44-20 during the eight-game run with their pitchers posting a 2.34 ERA.
Tampa Bay has scored two or fewer runs in nine of its last 13 games.
Sizzling Diamondbacks roll over Rockies
Eugenio Suarez hit a grand slam and drove in five runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to their season-high sixth straight victory, 11-4 over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.
Joc Pederson had two RBIs as the Diamondbacks finished a three-game sweep and improved to 18-3 in their last 21 games. Following a 6-1 homestand, the defending NL champions go on a nine-game trip to Tampa Bay, Miami and Boston.
Arizona has totalled 46 runs during the six-game streak while batting .329.
Suarez had three hits, driving the first pitch he saw from Riley Pint into the left-center seats for a 10-3 lead in the sixth and his fourth career slam.
Jordan Montgomery allowed three runs on five hits and three walks over six innings with a season-high eight strikeouts.
The last-place Rockies, who lost for the eighth time in 11 games, committed three errors and hit four batters. Colorado fell to an NL-worst 17-46 on the road.
Matthew Judon has a new team to negotiate a new contract with.
The New England Patriots traded Judon to the Atlanta Falcons on Wednesday for a 2025 third-round draft pick, according to multiple reports.
As one of the NFL's top edge rushers, Judon had been seeking a new contract with the Patriots.
He is due to make $6.5million this season in the final year of his current deal, and the Falcons have yet to offer him a new contract, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero.
Since signing that contract prior to the 2021 season, he has registered 32 sacks in 38 games for New England.
Judon, who turns 32 years old on Thursday, had a career-high 15 1/2 sacks in 17 games in 2022 to earn his fourth Pro Bowl selection, but was limited to just four games last season because of a biceps injury. Before his season ended in Week 4, however, he notched four sacks.
A fifth-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2016, Judon has 66 1/2 sacks and 87 tackles for loss in 114 career games.
The eight-year veteran now joins an Atlanta team that went 7-10 in 2023 and is looking to contend for the NFC South crown after acquiring quarterback Kirk Cousins earlier this off-season.
Jannik Sinner began his Cincinnati Open campaign with a hard-fought 6-4 7-5 win over Alex Michelsen, bouncing back from his injury scare at the Canadian Open last week.
Sinner fell to a quarter-final defeat to Andrey Rublev in Montreal last time out, appearing to struggle with a hip issue throughout that loss after missing the Paris Olympics due to a bout of tonsillitis.
However, the Italian played down any concerns over his fitness ahead of his last-32 match in Cincinnati, where he was pushed all the way by Michelsen but held firm to advance.
Sinner had to save eight break points in one hour and 52 minutes on court, committing as many unforced errors (19) as his American opponent.
However, breaks in the very first game of the opener and the penultimate game of the second set proved decisive for the Australian Open winner, who will now face either Sebastian Baez or Jordan Thompson for a quarter-final place.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas bounced back from his first-round Canadian Open exit at the hands of Kei Nishikori, fighting from a set and a break down to beat Jan-Lennard Struff 4-6 6-4 6-3.
Speaking after his win, Tsitsipas – who will face Jack Draper or Jaume Munar next – said: "I was down a break, and I managed to keep on fighting and get the break back.
"Suddenly I felt like I was starting to figure out what really worked behind his serve. He made a few double faults, and I took that chance, got myself in the lead, and I think once I started reminding myself of my best qualities as a player, these things really started working."
Data Debrief: Sinner looking to stay perfect
Sinner's victory improved his record on hard courts to 25-2 for the season, and a first quarter-final berth at Cincinnati is now within his sights.
He has reached at least the last eight at all five ATP 1000 Masters tournaments he has played this year, though his only such title came in Miami in March.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will miss his entire rookie season after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a meniscus tear in his right knee.
Head coach Kevin O'Connell told reporters prior to Wednesday's joint practice with the Cleveland Browns that McCarthy, the 10th overall pick of this year's draft, required a full repair of his meniscus that will sideline him for the duration of the 2024 campaign.
McCarthy reported soreness in his knee and was held out of practice Monday, two days after the former University of Michigan star completed 11 of 17 passes for 188 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against the Las Vegas Raiders in his preseason debut.
"As crushed as I am for our team and the excitement we had in our building - and our fanbase felt the same way, especially after seeing him perform really well the other day at U.S. Bank Stadium - I'm the most crushed for J.J.," O'Connell said. "But, as our fans either have already come to find out or will in the future, this guy is so motivated and so dialed in.
"Everyone should just be excited about the fact that we've got our young franchise quarterback, I believe, in the building."
McCarthy's surgery all but assures, barring injury, that Sam Darnold will be the Vikings' starting quarterback for Week 1 and beyond. Minnesota signed the seventh-year veteran to a one-year, $10 million contract in March after star signal-caller Kirk Cousins' decision to sign with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency.
Darnold, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2018 draft, has compiled 12,064 passing yards with 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions over 66 career games (56 starts) with the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers.
The 27-year-old made just one start in 2023, a 21-20 loss by the 49ers to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 18 in which he completed 16 of 26 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown.
O'Connell said he expects McCarthy to be fully recovered in time for the 2025 season, when the 21-year-old will be the favourite to take over as Minnesota's starter.
"This is going to be a small bump in the road," O'Connell said. "Other quarterbacks in our league have gone through similar things early on in their journey and came back stronger and better than ever. That is not only not my expectation, I know that it's going to happen for J.J."
The Jamaica Badminton Academy is set to host the much-anticipated Shuttle Showdown Tournament 2024, which is set to take place over two exciting weekends, September 14-15 and September 21-22, at the YMCA. This event promises to be a major highlight for badminton enthusiasts, athletes, and the local community, offering a dynamic blend of competition, entertainment, and community engagement.
A key feature of this year’s tournament is the introduction of the “Beginner Category,” a new addition designed to welcome those who play badminton casually or are just beginning their journey in the sport. This inclusive category ensures that everyone, regardless of experience level, can participate, compete, and enjoy the game among peers of similar skill levels.
Spectators can expect a vibrant atmosphere with a modest entrance fee of just $500. Attendees are encouraged to bring their coolers to enjoy a lively and energetic environment. Traditional games such as cards, dominos, and loodi boards will be welcome, creating a festive setting that fosters community spirit and support for the players.
Sponsors will be on-site, providing an additional layer of excitement with opportunities for participants and spectators to win prizes. The tournament aims to bring together around 100 participants, ranging from ages 4 to 35, across various categories tailored to different skill levels and age groups. These include the Beginner category for new players, age groups from U9 to U15 focusing on junior players, and divisional categories for national and competitive local players.
The event will span two weekends, each packed with thrilling badminton action. The first weekend, September 14-15, will feature matches from the Beginners and B and D divisions, while the second weekend, September 21-22, will showcase the Juniors and A/Open and C divisions. Each day’s matches will kick off at 9:00 AM and wrap up around 7:30 PM. The tournament will conclude with a closing ceremony on Sunday, September 22, 2024, inviting all attendees to celebrate the event’s success and the achievements of the participants.
In recognizing the shortage of badminton tournaments in Jamaica, the Jamaica Badminton Academy aims to fill this gap by providing a platform for players to compete and improve their skills. The Shuttle Showdown also offers young and emerging athletes a chance to observe and learn from more experienced competitors, contributing to their development both on and off the court.
The Academy hopes this tournament will attract media attention and promote the sport to a broader audience, ultimately inspiring more people to take up badminton and strengthening the connections within the badminton community. The Academy envisions making the Shuttle Showdown an annual flagship event and has plans to introduce additional tournaments throughout the year, including a prep/primary school tournament. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to establish badminton programs in schools across Jamaica, furthering the sport’s reach and impact.
Hosting the Shuttle Showdown aligns with the Jamaica Badminton Academy’s long-term vision of promoting badminton in Jamaica and nurturing young talent. This event represents a significant opportunity to inspire the next generation of badminton players, offering them exposure, skill development, and potential scholarship opportunities. As Dr. Mathew Lee, Director of the Jamaica Badminton Academy, noted, "The exposure I gained through badminton allowed me to secure a $17.3 million JMD scholarship for my MBBS program at the University of the West Indies Mona."
Current sponsors of the event include Premier Optical, Lifespan Spring Water, Dr. Man-Gue Chin, Chas E. Ramson, N D Communications, and Shop Tech Goods. The support from these sponsors highlights the sport’s growing appeal and potential for attracting further sponsorship and investment, ultimately contributing to the growth and development of badminton in Jamaica.
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is confident CeeDee Lamb will be back for the opening game of the NFL season.
Lamb is currently in the middle of a contract dispute and, as such, a three-week holdout as he waits to negotiate an extension to his current deal.
The wide receiver missed their opening pre-season game against the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, and after skipping the Cowboys' mandatory minicamp in June along with training camp, he has totalled more than $1million in fines.
And despite negotiations over a new deal still going on, Parsons is confident Lamb will be back on the field for their opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 8.
"We have our talks, but at the end of the day, me and CeeDee and all of us, we kind of know what it is," Parsons said.
"CeeDee is a part of the brotherhood whether he likes it or not. He knows he's not going nowhere.
"The business side, they going to take care of him. But obviously, we miss him. I mean, he's one of the best people you can have in a locker room, and I'm pretty sure he'll be here soon, because no doubt about it, Week 1, he will be suited up for the Dallas Cowboys."
Last week, owner and general manager Jerry Jones said there was no urgency to get Lamb's deal done, though he backtracked slightly on Sunday, saying "CeeDee is missed".
The 25-year-old was unlikely to play in the pre-season games anyway, but he has missed valuable practice time as the team gears up for the start of the new season.
However, coach Mike McCarthy says he will be smart about reintegrating Lamb into the side whenever he returns.
"You just make time to get done what you need to get done, that's how I look at CeeDee when he gets here," McCarthy said.
"We know CeeDee is always going to be in great shape and so forth. Yeah, we'll make the time, and we'll be smart about it, too, because we got to make sure we have a sound plan and once he does get back here."
In a thrilling and fiercely competitive 2024 Suncorp Super Netball League season, Jamaican players stood out as dominant forces, leading their teams to the top of the league standings and excelling in numerous individual statistical categories. As the season concluded, two teams featuring prominent Jamaican talent were locked in a tie for points, a testament to the significant impact of these athletes on the league.
The West Coast Fever, led by the indomitable Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard, had a stellar season, thanks in large part to Fowler-Nembhard's all-around brilliance. Over 16 games, she amassed an astonishing 1,782.5 Nissan Net Points, making her the top player of the tournament. Fowler-Nembhard's capability was instrumental in the Fever's success, earning her recognition as one of the league's most valuable players.
On the defensive end, Shamera Sterling-Humphrey of the Adelaide Thunderbirds showcased her prowess, finishing third in Nissan Net Points with 1,481.5 points. Her ability to anchor the Thunderbirds' defense was pivotal to their impressive season, where her consistent performances proved critical in securing key victories and back-to-back titles.
Romelda Aiken-George, also representing the Adelaide Thunderbirds, dominated the league in offensive rebounds, securing 69 crucial second-chance opportunities. Her tenacity on the boards was a significant factor in the Thunderbirds' relentless offensive pressure, making her a cornerstone of their strategy.
Fowler-Nembhard also made her presence felt in the offensive rebounding category, finishing fifth with 42 offensive rebounds, further emphasizing her well-rounded contributions to the Fever’s campaign. Sterling-Humphrey continued her defensive dominance by leading the league with 36 defensive rebounds. Her ability to disrupt opponents' offenses and control the boards was unmatched, reinforcing her status as a defensive stalwart.
In terms of goal-scoring, Fowler-Nembhard once again proved why she is considered one of the best, netting a league-leading 813 goals. Her precision and commanding presence in the goal circle were crucial in the Fever’s ascent to the top ranks. Aiken-George also delivered an outstanding performance, ranking third with 517 goals, further highlighting the strength of Jamaican shooters in the league.
Fowler-Nembhard's influence extended beyond just scoring, as she led the league in goal attempts with 846, showcasing her ability to create and capitalize on scoring opportunities. Aiken-George followed closely behind, ranking third with 593 attempts, cementing her role as a vital offensive weapon for the Thunderbirds.
Defensively, Sterling-Humphrey continued to excel, leading the league with 96 deflections. Latanya Wilson, another Jamaican standout with the Thunderbirds, was second with 82 deflections, while Kadie-Ann Dehaney of the West Coast Fever secured fifth place with 56 deflections.
Sterling-Humphrey's knack for timely interceptions also saw her top the league with 44, consistently turning defense into offense with her sharp instincts. Wilson, with 42 interceptions, was right on her heels, underscoring the depth of Jamaican defensive talent in the league.
As the dust settled on the 2024 season, the Adelaide Thunderbirds, Melbourne Vixens, and West Coast Fever were all tied at the top with 44 points. This remarkable finish was a testament to the extraordinary contributions of Jamaican players, whose skills, leadership, and determination not only shaped the outcomes of individual games but also defined the season as a whole. Whether it was Fowler-Nembhard's goal-scoring prowess, Sterling-Humphrey's defensive mastery, or Aiken-George's consistency, the Jamaican stars left an indelible mark on the Suncorp Super Netball League, ensuring that their teams remained in the hunt for the championship until the very end.
Naomi Osaka said she still does not feel like herself eight months into her comeback season following her latest defeat at the Cincinnati Open.
Osaka was beaten in three sets by Ashlyn Krueger in the second round of qualifying for the event ahead of the final grand slam of the year at the US Open.
The former world number one also lost in her first match of the Paris Olympics to Angelique Kerber and was beaten in the last 32 of the Canadian Open last week.
Osaka was left puzzled by her lack of accuracy and power in her most recent loss, explaining her current form is having an affect on her mentally.
"My biggest issue currently isn't losses though, my biggest issue is that I don't feel like I'm in my body," Osaka wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
"It's a strange feeling, missing balls I shouldn't miss, hitting balls softer than I remember I used to.
"I try to tell myself, 'It's fine you're doing great. Just get through this one and keep pushing', mentally it's really draining through.
"Internally, I hear myself screaming, 'What the hell is happening?!?!'"
Osaka returned to action in January after a 15-month break during which she gave birth to her daughter.
The Japanese is now ranked 90th in the WTA rankings, with her best finishes coming in Doha and 's-Hertogenbosch where she reached the quarter-finals in both.
"I've played a handful of matches this year that I felt like I was myself and I know this moment is probably just a small phase from all the new transitions (clay, grass, clay, hard), however the only feeling I could liken how I feel right now to is being post-partum," Osaka said.
"That scares me because I've been playing tennis since I was three, the racket should feel like an extension of my hand."
Osaka's next event will be at Flushing Meadows, a stadium where she triumphed in 2018 and 2020, but added she did not understand why everything about her game felt brand new again.
"This should be as simple as breathing to me, but it's not," she added. "I genuinely did not give myself grace for that fact until just now."
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